USPS to increase postage stamps by 1-cent next year

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced yesterday that postage stamps will increase by 1-cent. The new price will take effect early next year.

The USPS announced in an Oct. 11 press release that the agency's Forever postage stamps will increase to 46 cents commencing on Jan. 27, 2013. Forever stamps can be used at any time, regardless of when prices increase.

Postcard postage will also increase by 1-cent, but letters with additional ounces over the standard First-Class postage will remain unchanged at 20 cents.

The mail delivery service also announced a new stamp will be introduced next year as well.

"Beginning early next year, the Postal Service will introduce a First-Class Mail Global Forever Stamp. The new stamp will allow customers to mail letters anywhere in the world for one set price of $1.10, and is among new mailing and shipping services filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission today," USPS said in its announcement.

The USPS has been falling deep into financial despair for some time now. Lawmakers are supposed to be working on a way to help the floundering agency, but have yet to come up with a solution. According to Reuters, Congress is supposed to begin examining postal legislation again after the 2012 elections.

These new prices and postal mailing options still have to go through the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) before they take effect.